South End/Lower Roxbury Youth Workers’ Alliance

CONTACT:

31 Lenox Street
Boston, MA 02118
617-442-9800
youthworkersalliance.org

Sandy Martin, Coordinator

DESCRIPTION:

In 1995 a national report on youth said, “Positive youth development hinges on... supportive communities. Strong institutions and effective programs are critical, but... Developed one by one, they rarely congeal into a web of community supports.” In 1996 youth workers in South End/ Lower Roxbury formed the Youth Workers' Alliance of 150 members, specifically to create “a web of community supports.” Just by connecting youth workers, YWA has transformed its community. Working with youth is an intense, high burn-out, vocation; YWA has increased longevity of its members in their jobs, which means continuity, reliability, and increasing wisdom, in youth services. Monthly meetings encourage coordinating events, programs, policies and practices, as well as pro-active troubleshooting and problem-solving in tense times among youth gangs. Annual two-day retreats promote progress reports, evaluation, and strategic thinking; these have attracted an active Advisory Board of prominent citizens and civic leaders. And in summer 2004, YWA worked extensively with the city to stem violence in their communities. In sum, this is a wonderful charity that you would never hear about outside this Catalogue, and your support will make a huge difference.

(2003: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)